Agricom.id, JAKARTA – The main food material provision is one big job from the country. We think that this is part of our responsibility. Chief of Army, General (Army) Andika Perkasa told that in his speech after signing the memorandum of understanding between Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesian Republic and the Army in the head quarter of ministry of agriculture, Tuesday (29/9).

"In this case, minister of agriculture takes the Army and we are ready (to do it),” he said, as in the official statement to Agricom.id.

The preparedness, he continued, is proven in Central Kalimantan Province. The first land cultivation in the food estate successfully ran.

“In two districts - Pulang Pisau and Kapuas started in September. The real target in September should be 1.921 hectares but until now we have cultivated 4.200 hectares," General Andika said.

This surpasses the targets. He is optimist that in November, the land cultivation in Pulang Pisang would be finished and continue in Kapuas in October to December 2020.

He also told that it needs to realize the agricultural tools, such as, the floating four vehicle – tractors.

“This is swamp and if the tractor is not modified with the floating tires, it could sink. There have been 217 four vehicle – tractors and 30 have been modified to be floating ones,” he said.

Knowing that General Andika and his officers are serious, Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL) did appreciate and was proud of the integrity and dedication of the Army.

“I am a son of an army officer. I know and feel the spirit of General Andika and every army in Indonesia,” SYL said.

The man who is called ‘Komandan’ also explained that the agriculture is mostly dominated by the small farmers, but their contribution to provide the production, namely the food material is needed very much.

“When other sectors do not develop in the pandemic, the agriculture proudly develops. It was the highest provider in the gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter,” he said.

He also told that GDP in agriculture developed 16,24% in the second quarter of 2020 (q to q) and year on year (YoY), the agriculture positively contributed 2,19%. The achievement, he thought, happened for the food plantation subsector which hit the highest reaching 9,23 percent.

"We are grateful that the agriculture is the sector that could increase in the Covid-19 pandemic. When other sectors decreased, the agriculture significantly increased,” he said.

Back to General Andika, the graduate of Military Academy in 1987 told his support. “The bottom line is that there is no other word besides, we are all out to help Minister of Agriculture, SYL. Every officer in the Army would be ready to help,” he said. (A2)